Adam McKay to direct finance drama ‘The Big Short’

NEW YORK (AP) - In a shift to drama, Adam McKay will write and direct an adaptation of Michael Lewis‘ financial crisis best-seller “The Big Short: The Doomsday Machine.”

Paramount Pictures announced Monday it will produce “The Big Short” along with Plan B, Brad Pitt’s production company.

McKay is best known as the director of comedies, including the two “Anchorman” films, “Talladega Nights” and “Step Brothers.” He regularly collaborates with Will Ferrell, who has starred in all his films, including the white-collar crime comedy “The Other Guys.”

But “The Big Short” will mark a pivot for the former “Saturday Night Live” head writer. In a statement, McKay said he and Plan B connected over the “breathless quality” of Lewis‘ 2010 book about the housing market bubble.